Boko Haram clash with Nigerian troops in Damaturu

FILE PHOTO: Boko Haram militants with an armored tank after taking over a town

Boko Haram gunmen fought running battles with Nigerian troops on the streets of the northeastern city of Damaturu on Friday, in an apparent reprisal attack after a recent raid on a militant stronghold, residents told AFP.

“The gunmen arrived at around 7:30 pm (1830 GMT), firing guns and shouting ‘Allahu Akbar!’ (God is greatest),” said Mukhtar Sani, a student of the Yobe State University in the city.

Troops intercepted the Islamists and Aishatu Bala, who lives nearby, added: “All the streets are deserted. Everybody has moved indoors and all we hear are sounds of gunfire.”